The so-called ‘party of personal responsibility’ again looks like the party of sweaty bullies.

Cory Booker is the Michael Stipe of politics: not only does he not declare his sexual orientation, he purposely keeps it ambiguous.

In a Washington Post profile on Tuesday, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate noted that he hasn’t found a “life partner” yet and he’s uncomfortable about putting potential mates in the spotlight.

“And people who think I’m gay, some part of me thinks it’s wonderful,” he added. “Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I’m gay, and I say, ‘So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight.’”

So the mayor of Newark is admitting to a bit of trolling, purposely seeking angry responses. But he’s doing it in the name of questioning old biases. Booker’s opponent, Republican nominee Steve Lonegan, fell right into the trap.

Lonegan responded with anti-gay tropes including “I personally like being a guy.” He pointed to a comment Booker made last year about enjoying manicures and pedicures.

“It was described as his peculiar fetish,” Lonegan said. “I have a more peculiar fetish: I like a good Scotch and a cigar, that’s my fetish. But we’ll just compare the two.”

The idea that masculinity or femininity is tied to sexual orientation is the foundation for the torment for thousands if not millions of LGBT youth. Booker’s active rejection of those restrictive norms is an attempt to open minds while Lonegan blandly reenforces stereotypes with defensive contempt, making life tougher for those already inflicted with undue strife.

It’s a small issue in a campaign and a huge issue in the lives of many Americans. And for this, among many other reasons, Steve Lonegan should be ashamed of himself.

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Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has admitted to knowing about the poisoning of Flint's drinking water with lead. Despite this, there are STILL Flint residents who cannot drink their tap water without the use of a water filter.

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Mitchell Robinson is associate professor and chair of music education at Michigan State University. His research is focused on music education and education policy. Follow him on Facebook HERE and Twitter at @mrobmsu. His own blog is at MitchellRobinson.net.

Susan J. Demas is a Democratic strategist, serving as vice president at Farough & Associates. She is a 17-year veteran of journalism and a syndicated political columnist for 12 years. She was most recently the editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. Follow her on Twitter @sjdemas.

Tawana “Honeycomb” Petty is a mother, social justice organizer, youth advocate, poet and author. She was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and is intricately involved in water rights, digital justice and visionary organizing work in Detroit. You can learn more about Tawana "Honeycomb" Petty by visiting honeycombthepoet.com. Follow her on Twitter at @CombsThePoet.

Ammara Ansari is a Masters in Public Policy student at University of Michigan. She is a board member of the Canton Democratic Club and Finance Director for Megan Cavanagh for Supreme Court. Find her on twitter at @AmmaraAnsari16